First Airmail / James Richardson / Bush Pilots

First Airmail, also, James Richardson, also, Bush Pilots. . , First Airmail Flight in Manitoba , June 1, 1927 -Oct. 4, 1927 , The first semi-official airmail in Manitoba was carried from this site to Bissett, Wadhope, and Slate Lake return by Capt. F. J. Stevenson of Western Canada Airways Limited on 1 June 1927. The first official airmail service in Canada authorized by the Canada Post Office Department (Canada Post) originated from this site on 4 October 1927 when 85 pounds of mail, including 300 letters, was carried to Bissett and Wadhope. The pilot for his inaugural flight was W. L. Brintnell of Western Canada Airways Ltd., James A. Richardson , In memory of James A. Richardson , 1885-1939 , “The Father of Canadian Aviation” , Founded Western Canadian Airways Limited on 2 December 1926 and its successor company, Canadian Airways Ltd, in 1930. These airlines eventually operated from coast to coast in Canada and north to the Arctic., In the spring of 1927, the first commercial air base in Manitoba was established at Lac du Bonnet by Western Canada Airways Limited. Because of its close proximity to Winnipeg, this site was chosen as the most suitable location from which to operate a commercial seaplane air service to the isolated central Manitoba mining areas., Bush Pilots of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario , This plaque was erected in commemoration of aircraft pilots who, in the 1920s and 1930s, flew into remote and virtually uncharted areas of Manitoba and northwestern Ontario to service new mining developments. These flights led to established air routes linking isolated northern communities with the south.,